Rail-joint.



W. C.- BROWNING & T. Nl. LOWE.`

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JuNEB. I9I7.

Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

I 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

alito; ne I4 W. C. vBROWNING & T. M. LOWE.

, RAILJOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8. 19l7.

Patented Aug. 21,1917.

y 31a/vanto@ attain@ WILLIAM C. vBROW'IN'G AND THOMAS M. LOWE, OFMANBAR, WEST VIRGINIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, WILLIAM C. BROWN- ING and THOMAS M. Lown, citizensof the United States, and residentsof Manbar, in the county of Logan andState of fest Virginia, have inventedv certain new and usefulImprovements -in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved rail joint, and it is theprimary object of the invention to provide a rail joint, which, whenVengaged with the web portions of the abutting rail sections, willpositively prevent undue transverse or longitudina movement thereof. 1

It is also an object of the invention to provide a rail joint havinghingedly mounted angle plates, whereby the same may be swung intoclamping engagement with the rail sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel base plate for thejoint, the same being so constructed as to permit the hinged mounting ofthe angle plates thereon and to prevent creeping thereof with relationto the ties.

Among other aims and objects of the invention nay be recited, theprovision of a joint of the character mentioned with a view tocompactness, and in which the parts are few, the construction simple,the cost of production small and efficiency and operation high.

The improvements in the details and arrangement of parts will beapparent from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in connectionrwith the specific description hereinafter contained, and wherein thepreferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed for the purpose ofimparting a full understanding 'of the.

same.

In the drawings: n

Figure 1 is a top plan of our improved joint, the rail being shown inhorizontal section;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation; and

Fig. t is a perspective of the base plate.

Referring now more particularly to the several figures of the saiddrawings and in connection with which like reference numerals will referto corresponding parts, there is provided, a base plate designated l,the opposite ends of which are bent downwardly to provide a pair ofoppositely disySpecification of Letters Patent. 'j Patntgd Aun', 21,1917, Application filed June 8, 1917. Serial No. 173,553.

posed depending lips 2 adapted for engagement with the oppositeextremities of the usual cross ties 2. Pairs of oppositely disposedapertured beveled lugs 4 are formed .integral with the upper face of thebase engagement with the ties 3, whereby, the

said plates may be secured in position.

A plurality of angle plates 8 having apertured laterally extending lugs9 formed upon the opposite extremities thereof longitudinally of thebase plate l, the said laterally extending lugs 9 engaging the oppositefaces of the various lugs 4:, whereupon, pivot bolts or otherconnections 10 are passed through the alined openings. By so connectingthe angle lplates with the base plate of the oint, swinging of the sameinto clamping and idle positions will be facilitated, thereby renderingthe placing of the abutting ends of the rail sections therebetween acomparatively easy operation. A series of openings are formed within theupper portions of the angle plates and are adapted to be alined withsimilarly arranged openings formed in the web portions of the abuttingweb sections, whereby connecting bolts 11 may be passed therethrough andlocking nuts 12 turned into engagement with the same.

l/Vith our improved rail joint, transverse or longitudinal creeping ofthe rail sections is prevented, since, the base plate l by reason of theengagement of the spikes will brace the same against transversemovement, while the connection between the angle plates and the webportions of the rail sections will brace the same against longitudinalmovement. The plates may be readily disengaged from the web portions ofthe rail sections, by removing the bolts 1l and the locking nuts 12 andthen swinging the said plates backwardly upon their respective pivots.It is to be understood, that in arranging the abutting rail sections inour improved joint, the adjacent ends thereof are permitted sufficientspace to allow for expansion and contraction.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerablemodification and such modification as is within the scope of our claims,we consider within the spirit of our invention. y

l/Ve claim:

l. In a rail joint, a base plate having a plurality of spaced apartguide elements thereon for receiving the rail bases therebetween, andangle plates hingedly secured to said base.

2. In a rail joint,l a base plate having a plurality of oppositelydisposed pairs of spaced guide elements formed thereon for receiving theadjacent portions of the rail bases therebetween, and angle plateshingedly secured to said guide elements.

3. In a rail joint, a base plate having a plurality of oppositelydisposed pairs of apertured lugs formed integral with one ace thereof,angle plates having laterally extending apertured lugs formed thereonand engageable with the apertured lugs of the base plate to permithinging of the same, and means engageable with the angle plates and theweb portions of the adjacent rail sections for securing the same inposition. 4. In a rail joint, a base plate having the oppositeextremities thereof downturned, a plurality of apertured lugs Jormedupon one side of said base plate for receiving the abutting railsections therebetween, angle plates having laterally extending aperturedlugs formed adjacent the extremities thereof engageable with said firstapertured lugs to permit hinged connection therebetween, and meansengageable with the angle plates and the web portions ofthe abuttingrail sections for securingJ the same in position.

In testimony whereof, we ailix our signatures hereto.

WILLIAM C. BROl/VNING. THOMAS M. LOWE.

n Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C."

